The new Health Centre on Inis Oírr was officially opened by Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr. Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D. on Thursday, 23^rd July.

The development of the new Health Centre is part of the reconfiguration of resources by the HSE to provide a significant range of clients’ services within local communities and to develop locally based, multi-disciplinary Primary Care Teams.

Inis Oírr has a population of 247 (2006 census) and a range of health needs for a mixed age profile which ranges from the very young to the very old. Along with Inis Mór and Inis Meáin, the island forms a natural Primary Care Team unit.

The development of the Island Primary Care Team will commence in 2010 and the new Health Centre will greatly enhance the opportunities for providing services for the local population. The Island Primary Care Team will be part of the Connemara Network of Health and Social Care Services which covers Clifden, South Connemara, Oughterard, Spiddal, Moycullen along with the Aran Islands. The Primary Care Teams in these areas are currently being aligned to include nursing, home help, community welfare and therapy services in conjunction with local GPs.

According to Tony Canavan, General Manager of Galway Primary Community and Continuing Care, the new Health Centre will facilitate the provision of integrated health services on Inis Oírr.

He said, “International and national evidence indicates that people get a better service when health and social care professionals work together to assess, plan and deliver care.  The development of the Island Primary Care Team, focusing on the Aran Islands will help to achieve this. The new Health Centre will be used to provide a wide range of health services including mental health, dentistry and early intervention services for children, by visiting services to the Island Primary Care Team.”

Currently the Health Centre is used by a GP who provides 24 hour medical cover for Inis Oírr and InisMeáin and by the resident Public Health Nurse who provides a nursing service. Speech and Language therapy is provided in the Health Centre along with Chiropody and Podiatry Clinics which take place twice a year.

The new Health Centre has 150m² of clinical space with a reception area, consultation rooms for the GP and Public Health Nurse and a room for visiting clinicians. On the lower floor there are two apartments used as living quarters for the GP and Public Health Nurse. The building was designed to fit into the landscape with a natural slate and partial limestone cladding used to visually connect it to the predominant landscape feature of the island.